Dionysus

By Eva Pohler

He had given up on love.

After he's banished from Mount Olympus through no fault of his own, Dionysus roams the earth in search of a purpose. He eventually creates his own magical vineyard on the island of Naxos, where he falls in love with Ariadne, who breaks his heart.

He distracts himself with wine and dancing and accidentally creates a group of companions that require human blood to survive. He becomes the lord of the vampires.

His hopes of using this new purpose as a means for respect among the other gods is dashed when the vampires destroy Athens and become the scourge of the human race. Dionysus neglects the vampires and spends his time drowning his sorrows with wine and dancing until . . .

Fast forward to modern times, when he meets a beautiful anthropologist who shares her strange theory with him: the great writer Euripides was a vampire. As he helps her to build a case, he is pleasantly surprised by the chemistry between them. Does he dare open himself up to love again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eva Pohler
• Release date: May 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781005404505

Eva Pohler

Eva Pohler is a USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels for teens and adults. She writes fantasy based on Greek mythology, supernatural suspense, and psychological thrillers. Her books have been described as "addictive" and "sure to thrill"--Kirkus Reviews.Whichever genre you read, you will find an adventure in Eva Pohler's stories. They blur the line between reality and fantasy, truth and delusion, and draw from Eva's personal philosophy that a reader must be lured and abducted into complete captivity in order to enjoy the reading experience.Visit Eva's website to learn more about her and her books: https://www.evapohler.com/.

Book preview

DIONYSUS

A PREQUEL TO THE VAMPIRES OF ATHENS

Eva Pohler

Copyright © 2023 by Eva Pohler.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Eva Pohler Books

20011 Park Ranch

San Antonio, Texas 78259

www.evapohler.com

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

Book Layout ©2017 BookDesignTemplates.com

Book Cover Design by B Rose Designz

DIONYSUS/ Eva Pohler. -- 1st ed.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Acknowledgments

It is a good thing to be rich and strong, but it is a better thing to be loved.

―Euripides

PART ONE: ANCIENT TIMES

(CIRCA 1200 B.C.E.)

Chapter One

A Scolding

Dionysus spat something from his mouth. Was it hay? The aroma of fresh manure stung his nostrils. Sitting up, he gazed at his surroundings, having no memory of how he’d arrived in the dilapidated barn.

He brushed his long, golden hair from his eyes and tied it back in a loose braid. A snort too close for comfort made him jump to his feet. What had he been lying next to in the hay? Was it a boar? Dionysus squinted. Then he laughed. It was Hermes.

His laughter awakened the messenger god, who sat up, rubbed his eyes, and glared at him. Where are we?

I was about to ask you the same, Dionysus jeered, finding humor in the sprigs of hay stuck in the dark, curly beard of his friend. What’s the last thing you remember?

Hermes rubbed his temples, his fingers disappearing momentarily in his short, dark curls. Oh, gods. I don’t know. Chasing a river nymph, I think. What was her name?

I don’t think she ever gave it to you.

I’d never met anyone who could outrun me. Hermes shook his head. It was fun. I was almost disappointed when I finally caught her.

That’s not the expression I saw on your face. Dionysus laughed again. He offered a hand to his friend and helped him to his feet. You really have no idea where we are?

Not the slightest.

A loud crash came from the other end of the barn. The two gods exchanged looks of alarm. Before either could react, a great black beast, the size of an elephant, hurled toward them. It caught the heels of the fastest god alive and slammed him on the ground, turning Hermes onto his back. Then, three enormous heads opened their mouths and . . . began licking Hermes’s face.

Cerberus! Hermes cried through his laughter. What are you doing here, boy?

Dionysus sighed with relief. He wasn’t sure what he’d have done had his best friend—and only friend—been devoured by a monster. Hermes had been more than a friend. He’d been like a father to Dionysus, though technically they were half-brothers.

I didn’t think Hades allowed his guard dog to ever leave the Underworld, Dionysus remarked.

I don’t.

Dionysus flinched with surprise and turned to find the lord of the Underworld not three feet behind him holding the helm of invisibility in the crook of his arm. He wore a look of consternation on his bearded face, his black eyes shining like fiery coals.

Cerberus, let poor Hermes up, Hades commanded.

The three-headed beast moved to his master’s side and sat on his haunches.

Lord Hades. Hermes climbed to his feet. To what do we owe the pleasure?

Zeus has been looking everywhere for you, and I want him in my debt. Now that I’ve found you, I’ll take my leave.

Hades and Cerberus disappeared.

Oh, no, Dionysus groaned.

No sooner had Hades and his guard dog vanished than Zeus appeared wearing a scowl. He stood pulling on his long, brown beard, his blue eyes narrowed.

Hello, Father. Dionysus did not offer a smile, a hand, or a hug. He knew well enough to keep his distance.

Lord Zeus, Hermes said by way of greeting—though Zeus was his father, too.

The older god shook a finger at his sons. You know that I love a fun time, too, now and then.

Dionysus made no reply, but, in his mind, he objected. He knew very little about his father. Zeus had had nothing to do with him since Dionysus was born eighteen years ago.

But this is not the time for fun and games, and you—Hermes, at least—should know better. Demeter’s still searching for her daughter, the Greeks and Trojans are on the brink of war, and Aphrodite has just promised Paris the most beautiful woman in the world, who happens to be married to King Priam’s son. If she follows through with it, we’re in for a long war. I can promise you that.

What would you have us do, Lord Zeus? Hermes asked.

Well, not this. Zeus lifted his arms and dropped them to his side. He pointed his finger at Hermes. You need to be close enough to hear when I summon you—not all the way out here in the land of the Aborigines.

Hermes and Dionysus exchanged glances.

So, that’s where we are, they mumbled to one another.

It’s starting to come back, Dionysus added.

Yes. For me too, unfortunately, Hermes agreed.

Zeus continued. I’ve wasted countless hours looking for you. Then he turned to Dionysus. And you still need to figure out your purpose. You’ll never be accepted by the pantheon if you can’t figure that out.

I’ll never be accepted, period, Father. You know that.

Don’t get cheeky with me.

Everything’s already taken, Dionysus insisted. There’s a god of war, a goddess of wisdom, a goddess of love, a god of healing, a god of the sea, a god of the sky, he pointed to Hermes, and a god of commerce.

And don’t forget thievery, tricksters, travel, and death, Hermes added with a grin.

You can’t give me one of those? Dionysus muttered to Hermes.

No, I’m afraid not—unless you want to take over the dead? You just nab them once they die and hand the souls over to Charon, the ferryman.

Dionysus frowned. Taking the dead to the Underworld did not sound fun or interesting, nor did it sound important or respectable.

Hmm. No, thanks. He turned to Zeus. What’s left for me to be?

That’s for you to figure out. And you need to do it quickly. There’s a good chance you may lose your immortality if you don’t.

This was the first Dionysus had heard of such a threat. Why? What do you mean?

You weren’t born of a goddess. You do know that? Zeus’s face had turned red with agitation.

You’ve told me nothing about the circumstances of my birth.

To protect your mother.

You’ve said that before.

She’s mortal, and for as long as she’s alive, I will not reveal her identity to you. If you go chasing after her, Hera will follow and kill her.

If she’s mortal, how is it that I’m not? Dionysus glanced at Hermes who averted his eyes.

Just focus on finding your purpose, Zeus commanded. Hermes, I’ll meet you back on Mount Olympus. I have one more errand to run.

Zeus disappeared.

Tell me, Dionysus demanded of his friend. I know you know.

I’ll tell you on the way to Mount Olympus. Come on.

You know I’m not allowed in, Dionysus remarked of Mount Olympus as he and Hermes flew northwest.

Join me on the journey there, so we can talk. Then you can return to your cave.

Dionysus was sick of his cave. It was far away from Greece on Mount Nysa. But he didn’t know where else to go.

Have you ever wondered why Zeus agreed to let Hera banish you? Hermes asked.

I already know the answer to that. He hates me.

Hermes shook his head. He wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble to protect you if that were true.

Dionysus lifted his brows. Protect me? When has he ever protected me?

"When you were born. Hera nearly killed you and your mother."

That’s no surprise.

Even today, many believe your mother is dead.

What happened?

Days before your birth, Hera visited her, disguised as an old nurse. She planted seeds of doubt in your mother about Zeus’s identity.

Typical.

One day, your mother beseeched Zeus to grant her one wish, to prove his love to her. He agreed. She made him swear on the River Styx to keep his word.

What was her wish?

For Zeus to reveal himself completely to her. He begged her not to ask that of him, knowing that it would kill her, but she was riddled with doubt, and his reluctance only added fuel to that fire. Her timing couldn’t have been worse, because she made her demand just as you were being born.

Oh, gods.

Zeus opened his thigh and sewed you inside, where you continued to grow. Later, he took you to your cave and birthed you from his leg. That’s why you’re immortal: because you were born—albeit a second time—from a god.

And my mother?

Blinded but not dead.

Dionysus felt his throat go dry. Why has no one ever told me this before?

Our father has taken the position that the less you know, the safer you are. He even had Mnemosyne wipe your memory of your birth.

Then why are you telling me this now?

I knew you’d never stop bugging me until I told you the truth. At any rate, Zeus agreed to your banishment from Mount Olympus to protect your mother. Hera knows who she is. By keeping you away on Nysa, and keeping you ignorant, your mother’s location is less likely to be discovered by his jealous queen.

Dionysus’s heart raced. He had never felt loved by anyone. Hermes offered friendship and sometimes companionship, but there was no one in the world who was devoted to Dionysus, not like a mother or a father is devoted to a child. He’d give anything to meet his mother. If Hera knows who my mother is—

Don’t ask her, Di. If you want your mother to live, don’t talk to Hera about her.

Do you know who she is?

If I did, do you think I’d admit it? Then he added, You should be glad you aren’t just another demigod. If you think you’ve been neglected, you should watch those young mortal heroes doing everything they can to prove themselves to divine fathers who more often than not don’t know they exist.

If gods don’t want their children, they shouldn’t—

Yeah, well, even gods don’t always think about consequences. And you know what Zeus says—how he justifies himself, right? I’ve heard it a million times.

You forget I’m never around our father.

Well, he says that humans need heroes, and it’s his responsibility to create them.

Dionysus wanted to puke.

An hour later, as Hermes and Dionysus neared the gates of Mount Olympus, where a thick layer of clouds sheathed the mountaintop, both Athena and Hera flew past them, raging mad and screaming so loudly that the mountain shook. Hera was a flash of red hair, and Athena a flash of black. Hera circled back and glared at Dionysus while Athena vanished in the distant clouds.

What are you doing here? Hera spat.

He noticed she’d been crying. Don’t worry. I’m not staying.

Good. Because I’m in no mood.

Has something happened, my lady? Hermes asked.

I just lost a beauty contest to a cheater.

I can’t imagine anyone more beautiful than you, Dionysus said, pouring on the charm. Not even my own mother.

It hadn’t been a lie. Hera was beautiful. Even though he despised her for what she’d done to him, her fiery, red hair, sparkling emerald eyes, and silky, creamy skin hadn’t gone unnoticed by him.

Hermes gave him a warning glance.

How could she be? Hera scoffed. The Theban princess Semele couldn’t stand a chance against a goddess.

If I could say for certain, I’m sure I would agree, Dionysus put in, delighted that he had a name. Now, he just needed a location.

You’ve never laid eyes on your mother? Hera seemed taken aback. I thought you lived with her.

Dionysus floundered for a moment—all his charm evaporating, along with his power of speech. Had she really thought he’d been with his mother all this time, and not alone, the loneliest orphan, in his hidden cave?

Hera covered her lips. You don’t even know where she lives, do you?

Hermes intervened. My father doesn’t wish it.

Well, the last I heard, she was living on the island of Naxos, Hera began. But I can’t confirm it.

Dionysus found it impossible to suppress his smile. Thank you, Lady Hera. Thank you very much.

Hera glanced at Hermes before turning back to Dionysus. I’m glad I could be of help.

After Hera had flown off, Hermes grabbed Dionysus by the shoulders. Do not go to Naxos—at least not right now. Lay low for a while, you hear me? Hera has spies. They’ll follow you. I’m sure they’ve combed that island a million times looking for her.

What makes you think I’ll have any better luck?

You idiot. Semele would do anything to be reunited with you. She knows to stay hidden, but she won’t resist coming out of her hiding spot to be with her son, even if it means her death.

I’d do anything, too. Hermes, I’m desperate to meet her, to know her. She’s my mother.

Even if it’ll get her killed?

Dionysus sighed. This is impossible. Can’t we get Hera and her spies off my back somehow? Can’t you help me to create a diversion?

I’ll think about it. Meanwhile, stay away from Naxos.

Chapter Two

Naxos

The new moon had come and gone since Dionysus had convinced Hermes to help him find his mother. Dionysus had already flown over the island several times, hoping to catch a glimpse of a mortal woman emerging from a cave. But, except for an abandoned palace, all he saw were rows and rows of dead grapevines, dozens of primitive huts, a handful of simple boats docked along the shores, and less than two hundred people and animals. Demeter’s absence had caused nearly every plant on earth to die, and the island of Naxos had not been immune.

He knew three things about his mother’s appearance: She was blonde, she was blind, and she was beautiful. The blindness, according to Hermes, had occurred when Zeus had shown her his true form, which usually kills a mortal. However, Semele, having been born of King Cadmus and the goddess Harmony, was endowed with more protections than the average human and had lived.

Today, it was Dionysus’s turn to play the trick, and having the god of trickery on his side boosted his confidence. At this very moment, Hermes was persuading Artemis that Hera needed help in the garden of the Hesperides, where her golden apple tree was protected by Ladon, a monstrous serpent with one hundred heads.

The golden apples must be thinned if more are to grow, Hermes was telling Artemis, who was second only to Apollo in talent with a bow. But Apollo, being the god of truth, had the power to detect a lie. So, Artemis would have to do.

While Hermes convinced Artemis to shoot down some of Hera’s precious golden apples, which would surely capture the attention of Hera and her spies, Dionysus would finally set foot on Naxos and question the people about Semele.

Helios the sun god had come and gone in his golden cup across the sky, and Dionysus was without a lead to the Theban princess’s whereabouts. According to Hermes, that’s how she would be known—as the Theban princess. By the new moon, Dionysus was sure he had spoken to every living person on the island and had come to believe that Hera had tricked him. As he was about to leave, he hovered over the rows of dead grapevines, balled his fists, and allowed his rage to fly from his throat in one long groan. His tears flooded the fields below him, and his groan shook the earth like thunder. The heat from his fists warmed the otherwise cold land, and within hours, something wondrous had happened: The grapevines had begun to grow.

People below rushed from their huts to witness the miraculous rain, which hadn’t fallen since Demeter had gone missing. When they noticed the grapevines growing with uncanny speed, they looked into the sky and saw Dionysus.

He’s the god of the vine! someone cried. Look! He’s making them grow!

Praise the god of the vine!

He’s come to save us!

Stupefied by their sudden adoration of him, Dionysus couldn’t bear to disappoint them. He used every ounce of power in his being to bring every vine back to life and to make them bear the most delicious grapes. More